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It’s A Jeep Thing, Try To Understand

With the Jeep legend continuing to grow it is no wonder that more and more people are finding ways to customize their Jeep. Whether it is traditional Wrangler or a new more luxurious Grand Cherokee, people seem to want to feel that Jeep energy; the energy that has gotten Jeep where it is today.

Hot Rods, Customs, and Muscle Cars of Detroit Autorama 2026

Every winter, the custom car world storms into the Motor City for one of the most legendary indoor shows in hot rodding history—Detroit Autorama. Inside the sprawling halls of Huntington Place, the temperature might still read winter outside, but on the show floor the atmosphere is pure horsepower, chrome, and adrenaline. Thousands of enthusiasts flood the aisles to see the machines that define the cutting edge of hot rods and muscle cars craftsmanship.

A FAMILY AFFAIR

In the summer of 1977, a young couple expecting a son decided to purchase a new family vehicle, one that would provide ample room, safety and the ability to handle their love of camping and the outdoors. After deciding on a Chevrolet, the couple headed out and purchased a new ’78 two-wheel-drive Blazer from a dealer in Knoxville, Tennessee. Optioned out nicely for the time, the Blazer was equipped with A/C, a 400-inch small block, an automatic transmission, power disc brakes and a factory tach-equipped instrument cluster.
After driving the Blazer for several years, the couple decided to present it to their son, Travis Griffin, as a 16th birthday present. He drove the Blazer to and from high school, and then was given the opportunity to have the Blazer painted for graduation.

Truck Triumphs at the Triple Crown of Rodding 2023

Truck of The Year Winners for 2023 Sponsored by LMC Truck

Author

Jamie Dent

Photography by Scott Killeen & The Auto Builder Staff

In the world of rodding and customization, there are certain moments that stand out as big achievements—proof of how dedicated, creative, and skilled the builders can be. The first Triple Crown of Rodding show in 2023 is one of those moments, a big success that everyone in the car world will remember. It was organized by industry juggernauts, Bobby Alloway and Gary Case, and it brought together some of the best builders in the business, like Roy Brizio, Art Morrison, Troy Trepanier, Chip Foose, and Alan Johnson just to name a few! Car fans from all over the country came to the Nashville Superspeedway to celebrate automotive craftsmanship and meet the people who made these amazing cars.

Trucks have become highly coveted in the collector and custom market, as exemplified by their impressive showing at TCOR. LMC Truck sponsored the Truck of the Year award for three categories: 1972 and under, 1973-1987, and 1988-1998. Among the showcased vehicles, these three stand out as the absolute best: the recipients of the TCOR Truck of the Year Award.

The TCOR 2023 Truck of the Year: up to 1972

The TCOR 2023 Truck of the Year (up to 1972) was easily awarded to Rod Parsons. This 1967 Chevy C10 race truck with blinkers was built by ZRODZ and Customs of Knox, IN, along with Fiber Forged Composites. It’s a real monocoque body! Mr. Parsons also took home the Ringbrothers builders award from Mike Ring.

The TCOR 2023 Truck of the Year: 1973–1987

Ricky Holly’s 1979 unibody C10 Chevy “Lolita” won the TCOR 2023 Best Truck (73-87) category. Built by Dru Custom Designs along with Alamo Customs and MTI Automotive Designs.

The TCOR 2023 Truck of the Year: 1988–1998

LMC sponsored TCOR 2023 award winner for the Truck of the Year (88-98) is Chris Echel’s 1997 Chevrolet “OBS Killa” by BackYard Kustoms of Greenville, NC. His “styling concept” starts with Phantom wheels from U.S. Mags. This one had Gary Case grinning ear-to-ear.

What We Spotted at the LMC Truck Booth

With decades of experience in providing high-quality automotive parts and accessories for trucks and SUVs, LMC Truck is a renowned name in the industry. They cater to classic pickup restoration and modern truck enhancement needs, earning trust through their commitment to customer satisfaction and product quality. LMC Truck’s dedication extends to innovation, introducing cutting-edge upgrades, stylish accessories, and solutions for common maintenance issues, ensuring truck enthusiasts always have access to the latest advancements in truck technology and design.

Here’s a selection of products that we spotted at the TCOR show.